Reusable zipper system

ABSTRACT

A reusable zipper system for allowing a zipper to be installed and removed onto different objects interchangeably. The reusable zipper system generally includes an inner member and an outer member. The inner member is removably secured to an object via adhesive around an opening to be fitted with the present invention. The outer member is removably secured over the inner member. After cutting a slit through the inner member, a zipper assembly which includes zipper tracks and a zipper head may be used to selectively open or close the flaps. When desired, the inner and outer members may be removed from the object to be used elsewhere.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/610,129 filed on Jan. 30, 2015, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/934,012 filed on Jan. 31, 2014. Each ofthe aforementioned patent applications, and any applications relatedthereto, is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a reusable zipper and morespecifically it relates to a reusable zipper system for allowing azipper to be installed and removed onto different objectsinterchangeably.

Description of the Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such related art is widelyknown or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Zippers are generally permanently attached to various objects surroundopenings meant to be selectively opened and/or closed. Other types ofobjects with such openings may omit zippers entirely. Thus, it would bepreferable to have a system for removably securing a zipper assembly tovarious objects such that the zipper assembly may be removed whenneeded. Current zipper arrangements which are permanently attachedcannot be removed without compromising their functionality. Thus,removal of such permanently-attached zippers will often requirement thepurchase of a completely new replacement zipper as well as the effortfor reinstalling it.

Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a needfor a new and improved reusable zipper system for allowing a zipper tobe installed and removed onto different objects interchangeably.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a reusable zipper system whichincludes an inner member and an outer member. The inner member isremovably secured to an object via adhesive around an opening to befitted with the present invention. The outer member is removably securedover the inner member. After cutting a slit through the inner member, azipper assembly which includes zipper tracks and a zipper head may beused to selectively open or close the flaps. When desired, the inner andouter members may be removed from the object to be used elsewhere.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features ofthe invention in order that the detailed description thereof may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and that will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction or to the arrangements of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced andcarried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of thedescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a frontal upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the present invention beinginstalled on an object.

FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of the inner member secured to anobject.

FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of the inner and outer members bothsecured to an object.

FIG. 7 is a first upper perspective view of the inner member being cutinto two portions.

FIG. 8 is a second upper perspective view of the inner member being cutinto two portions.

FIG. 9 is an upper perspective view of the present invention installedon flaps surrounding an opening in an object.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Overview

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1through 10 illustrate a reusable zipper system 10, which comprises aninner member 20 and an outer member 30. The inner member 20 is removablysecured to an object 11 via adhesive 27 around an opening 13 to befitted with the present invention. The outer member 30 is removablysecured over the inner member 20. After cutting a slit through the innermember 20, a zipper assembly which includes zipper tracks 44, 45 and azipper head 46 may be used to selectively open or close the flaps 15.When desired, the inner and outer members 20, 30 may be removed from theobject 11 to be used elsewhere.

B. Inner Member

As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, the present invention includes an innermember 20 which is secured to the structure which is being removablyfitted with the present invention. The inner member 20 is illustrated asbeing comprised of an elongated strip, though it should be appreciatedthat this is merely an exemplary embodiment. Thus, the shape, size,configuration, and orientation of the inner member 20 may vary indifferent embodiments of the present invention.

In the exemplary embodiment best shown in FIGS. 2-3, the inner member 20comprises an elongated configuration having an upper end 21, a lower end22, a first side 23, and a second side 24. The inner member 20 includesconnector strips 25, 26 on its outer surface 28 and an adhesive 27 onits inner surface 20. The inner surface 20 of the inner member 20 isremovably secured to the object 11 being fitted with the presentinvention. The outer surface 28 of the inner member 20 is removablysecured to the outer member 30 of the present invention as discussedherein.

The connector strips 25, 26 of the inner member 20 are utilized forsecuring the inner member 20 removably to the outer member 30. Thus, theconnector strips 25, 26 are preferably positioned on the outer surface28 of the inner member 20 as shown in FIG. 2. In such a preferredembodiment, the connector strips 25, 26 are shown as extending along thefirst and second sides 23, 24 of the outer surface 28 of the innermember 20 between its upper and lower ends 21, 22.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a first connector strip 25extends between the upper and lower ends 21, 22 of the outer surface 28of the inner member 20 near its first side 23 and the second connectorstrip 26 extends in parallel orientation with respect to the firstconnector strip 25 near the second side 24 of the outer surface 28 ofthe inner member 20. It should be appreciated that the connector strips25, 26 may be comprised of different shapes, sizes, configuration, andorientations than shown in the figures.

The connector strips 25, 26 are shown as comprising hook-and-loopfasteners. However, it should be appreciated that the connector strips25, 26 may in alternate embodiments comprise other structures orsubstances to connect the inner and outer members 20, 30 together. Forexample, the connector strips 25, 26 may in some embodiments comprise anadhesive, clasps, buttons, or the like.

The inner surface 29 of the inner member 20 is best shown in FIG. 3. Theinner surface 29 of the inner member 20 is adapted to be removablysecured to the object 11 being fitted with the present invention. Thus,the inner surface 29 of the inner member 20 generally includes anadhesive 27 for securing the inner member 20 removably to the object 11.The type of adhesive 27 may vary in different embodiments, as well asthe amount of adhesive 27 utilized and the positioning and orientationof the adhesive 27 on the inner surface 29 of the inner member 20.

C. Outer Member

As shown throughout the figures, the present invention includes an outermember 30 which is removably secured to the inner member 20 of thepresent invention. The outer member 30 is illustrated as being comprisedof an elongated strip, though it should be appreciated that this ismerely an exemplary embodiment. Thus, the shape, size, configuration,and orientation of the outer member 30 may vary in different embodimentsof the present invention.

In the exemplary embodiment best shown in FIG. 2, the outer member 30comprises an elongated configuration having an upper end 31, a lower end32, a first side 33, and a second side 34. The outer member 30 includesconnector strips 40, 42 on its inner surface 39. The inner surface 39 ofthe outer member 30 is removably secured to the inner member 20 of thepresent invention. The outer surface 38 of the outer member 30 includesthe zipper 46 of the present invention.

The connector strips 40, 42 of the outer member 30 are utilized forsecuring the outer member 30 removably to the inner member 20. Thus, theconnector strips 40, 42 are preferably positioned on the inner surface39 of the outer member 30 as shown in FIG. 3. In such a preferredembodiment, the connector strips 40, 42 are shown as extending along thefirst and second sides 33, 34 of the inner surface 39 of the outermember 30 between its upper and lower ends 31, 32.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a first connector strip 40extends between the upper and lower ends 31, 32 of the inner surface 39of the outer member 30 near its first side 33 and the second connectorstrip 42 extends in parallel orientation with respect to the firstconnector strip 40 near the second side 34 of the inner surface 39 ofthe outer member 30. It should be appreciated that the connector strips40, 42 may be comprised of different shapes, sizes, configuration, andorientations than shown in the figures.

The connector strips 40, 42 are shown as comprising hook-and-loopfasteners. However, it should be appreciated that the connector strips40, 42 may in alternate embodiments comprise other structures orsubstances to connect the inner and outer members 20, 30 together. Forexample, the connector strips 40, 42 may in some embodiments comprise anadhesive, clasps, buttons, or the like.

The outer member 30 generally includes a first portion 35 and a secondportion 36, with the first portion 35 including the first side 33 of theouter member 30 and the second portion 36 including the second side 34of the outer member 30. The first and second portions 35, 36 of theouter member 30 are removably connected to each other via a zipper. Thefirst portion 35 will thus include a first zipper track 44 and thesecond portion 36 includes a second zipper track 45. The zipper tracks44, 45 are connected or disconnected to/from each other via a zipperhead 46.

D. Operation of Preferred Embodiment

The figures illustrate a window being fitted in a tent 11, though thepresent invention may be utilized with a wide range of objects 11, suchas garments, blankets, and the like. In use, the inner member 20 isfirst removably secured to the object 11 being fitted with the presentinvention as shown in FIG. 4. Generally, the inner surface 29 of theinner member 20 will be placed against the object 11 at the desired areato be fitted with a zipper. In some embodiments, a cover (not shown) mayfirst need to be removed from covering the adhesive 27. In any case, theadhesive 27 will removably secure the inner member 20 to the object 20.

With the inner member 20 secured to the object 11, the outer member 30may be secured to the inner member 20. The inner surface 39 of the outermember 30 is secured against the outer surface 28 of the inner member 20by aligning the first connector strip 25 of the inner member 20 with thefirst connector strip 40 of the outer member 30 as well as the secondconnector strip 26 of the inner member 20 with the second connectorstrip 42 of the outer member 30 so that the connector strips 25, 26, 40,42 are engaged with each other by the hook-and-loop fasteners as shownin FIG. 6.

With the inner and outer member 20, 30 secured to each other, the firstand second portions 35, 36 of the outer member 30 are separated fromeach other via the zipper head 46. A cutting tool 14 is then used to cuta line between the upper end 21 and lower end 22 of the inner member 20to separate it into two portions as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. As shown inFIG. 9, the inner and outer members 20, 30 are secured to both flaps 15surrounding an opening 13 in the object 11. The zipper head 46 may nowbe utilized to secure the flaps 15 together or remove them.

When desired, the inner and outer members 20, 30 may be removed forfurther use on other objects 11. Either the inner member 20, the outermember 30, or both may contain a connector tab such as a piece of Velcro(not shown) which allows the present invention to be rolled onto itselffor easy storage and transfer.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andmaterials are described above. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law andregulations. The present invention may be embodied in other specificforms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof,and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilizedwithin the description are for convenience only and have no legal orlimiting effect.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A reusable zipper system, comprising: aninner member adapted to be secured to an object; an outer memberremovably connected to the inner member, wherein the outer memberincludes a first portion and a second portion; and a zipper connectingthe first portion and the second portion of the outer member; and anadhesive on an inner surface of the inner member for securing the innermember to the object.
 2. The reusable zipper system of claim 1, whereinthe zipper comprises a first zipper track on the first portion of theouter member and a second zipper track on the second portion of theouter member.
 3. The reusable zipper system of claim 1, furthercomprising a first connector on an outer surface of the inner member. 4.The reusable zipper system of claim 3, further comprising a secondconnector on an inner surface of the outer member.
 5. The reusablezipper system of claim 4, wherein the first connector is adapted to beremovably connected to the second connector to removably connect theouter member to the inner member.
 6. The reusable zipper system of claim5, wherein the first connector comprises a first connector strip andwherein the second connector comprises a second connector strip.
 7. Thereusable zipper system of claim 6, wherein the first connector stripextends between an upper end and a lower end of the inner member.
 8. Thereusable zipper system of claim 7, wherein the second connector stripextends between an upper end and a lower end of the outer member.
 9. Areusable zipper system, comprising: an inner member adapted to besecured to an object, wherein the inner member comprises an elongatedstrip, wherein the inner member includes an outer surface and an innersurface; a first connector strip extending along the outer surface ofthe inner member; an outer member removably connected to the innermember, wherein the outer member includes a first portion and a secondportion; a second connector strip extending along an inner surface ofthe outer member, wherein the first connector strip is adapted toremovably connect to the second connector strip; and a zipper connectingthe first portion and the second portion of the outer member.
 10. Thereusable zipper system of claim 9, further comprising an adhesive on theinner surface of the inner member for securing the inner member to theobject.
 11. The reusable zipper system of claim 10, wherein the adhesiveis comprised of glue.
 12. The reusable zipper system of claim 9, whereinthe first connector strip and the second connector strip each comprise ahook-and-loop fastener.
 13. The reusable zipper system of claim 9,further comprising a third connector strip extending along the outersurface of the inner member.
 14. The reusable zipper system of claim 13,further comprising a fourth connector strip extending along the innersurface of the outer member.
 15. The reusable zipper system of claim 9,wherein the zipper comprises a first zipper track on the first portionof the outer member and a second zipper track on the second portion ofthe outer member.
 16. The reusable zipper system of claim 15, furthercomprising a zipper head connecting the first zipper track and thesecond zipper track.
 17. The reusable zipper system of claim 9, whereinthe inner member is comprised of the same shape and size as the outermember.
 18. A reusable zipper system, comprising: an inner memberadapted to be secured to an object, wherein the inner member comprisesan elongated strip, wherein the inner member includes an outer surfaceand an inner surface; a first connector strip extending along the outersurface of the inner member; a second connector strip extending alongthe outer surface of the inner member; an outer member removablyconnected to the inner member, wherein the outer member includes a firstportion and a second portion; a third connector strip extending along aninner surface of the outer member; a fourth connector strip extendingalong the inner surface of the outer member, wherein the first connectorstrip is adapted to removably connect to the third connector strip,wherein the second connector strip is adapted to removably connect tothe fourth connector strip; a zipper connecting the first portion andthe second portion of the outer member; and an adhesive on the innersurface of the inner member for securing the inner member to the object.19. The reusable zipper system of claim 18, wherein the adhesive iscomprised of glue and wherein the first connector strip, the secondconnector strip, the third connector strip, and the fourth connectorstrip are each comprised of a hook-and-loop fastener.